Limitations of Northern Blotting: What It Cannot Determine
In traditional Northern blotting technique, which one of the following types of information cannot be determined.
A. Half-life of an mRNA
B. Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species
C. Strand of DNA that is transcribed into an mRNA
D. Size of an mRNA species
The Northern blotting technique is widely used in molecular biology to analyze RNA expression levels and determine the size of specific mRNA molecules. However, like any technique, it has its limitations. Among the options provided, the amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species (Option B) cannot be determined using Northern blotting.
Explanation of Each Option:
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A. Half-life of an mRNA – Can be inferred indirectly
- Although Northern blotting alone does not measure mRNA half-life, researchers can estimate it by performing RNA stability experiments over time and analyzing mRNA degradation patterns.
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B. Amino Acid Sequence of the Protein Coded by an mRNA Species – Cannot be determined
- Northern blot detects RNA, not proteins.
- The amino acid sequence of a protein is determined by translating the mRNA sequence into protein using genetic code rules.
- To determine the protein sequence, techniques like mass spectrometry or Western blotting are required.
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C. Strand of DNA That Is Transcribed into an mRNA – Can be determined
- By using strand-specific probes, scientists can identify whether the coding strand (sense) or template strand (antisense) of DNA is transcribed.
-
D. Size of an mRNA Species – Can be determined
- Northern blotting involves RNA separation by gel electrophoresis, allowing the estimation of mRNA size compared to molecular weight markers.
Conclusion:
While Northern blotting is valuable for studying gene expression and RNA size, it cannot determine the amino acid sequence of a protein encoded by an mRNA. To analyze protein sequences, other techniques like Western blotting or mass spectrometry must be used.
For accurate molecular biology research, choosing the right technique is crucial!
83 Comments
Suman bhakar
March 3, 2025Nice explanation
Mahima Sharma
August 20, 2025Amino acid of the protein coded by an mrna species
Ujjwal
March 3, 2025Nice question
Akshay mahawar
March 3, 2025Done 👍
Arushi
March 3, 2025👍👍
Jyoti Meena
March 3, 2025Done
Abhilasha
March 3, 2025Good explanation
Priti khandal
March 3, 2025Done sir
Prami Masih
March 4, 2025Well done sir 👍
Lokesh kumawat
March 5, 2025Done
VIKRAM GAHLOT
March 7, 2025ok. sir
Dipti Sharma
August 20, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species cannot be determined using Northern blotting.
Shivani
August 20, 2025Northern blotting can not be used to determine amino acid sequence of the protein coded by mrna species . Western blotting is used to detect protein .
shruti sharma
August 20, 2025OPTION B
Khushi Mehra
August 20, 2025Western blotting technique is used for detection of amino acid sequence of the proteins instead of Northern blotting.
Mohd juber Ali
August 20, 2025Option B
Bcz Northern blotting used to detect specific RNa and separate mRna based on size
For determination of amino acid sequence of protein used western blot teq
Anurag Giri
August 20, 2025Ans b
Northern blot detects RNA, not proteins.
HIMANI FAUJDAR
August 20, 2025Ans( b) Northern blotting cannot determine amino acid sequence of protein. Northern blotting is used for RNA detection.
Nilofar Khan
August 20, 2025Amino acid sequences detected by western blotting
Dharmpal Swami
August 20, 2025Northern blotting detect rna
A.a sequence of protein detected by western blotting
Bharti Yadav
August 20, 2025Option B.
Northern blotting cannot determine amino acid sequence coded by mRNA.
Varsha Tatla
August 20, 2025Northern blotting used for size of mRNA, dna strand which transcribed into an mRNA. It can not detect the amino acid sequence
Roopal Sharma
August 20, 2025Northern blotting cannot determine amino acid sequences.
Sakshi yadav
August 20, 2025Northern blot detact rna not protein
Mansukh Kapoor
August 20, 2025The correct answer is option 2nd
Because northern blotting cannot identify the protein sequences.It can only be used for RNA
Aman Choudhary
August 20, 2025Option B is correct
Northern blot used to detect specific RNA not for proteins
Priya choudhary
August 20, 2025Right answer is option b,Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species
Avni
August 20, 2025B. (Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species ) is the correct answer
Deepika Sheoran
August 20, 2025Option b is correct answer because Northern blotting used to detect rna Amino acids sequences of the protein detect by western blotting.
Priya dhakad
August 20, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species
anjani sharma
August 20, 2025Amino acids sequence are detected by Western blotting
Aafreen
August 20, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species bcoz western blotting detect protein
Kavita choudhary
August 20, 2025Answer b is right
Neelam Sharma
August 20, 2025Northern blotting cannot determine amino acid sequence of protein. Northern blotting is used for RNA detection.
Sakshi
August 20, 2025B is correct option because protein is detected by western blotting
Manisha
August 21, 2025Northern blotting can’t detect the sequence of of proteins
Sneha .......
August 21, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by mrna species, because northern blot detecte rna not protein
Mitali Saini
August 21, 2025Among the options provided, the amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species (Option B) cannot be determined using Northern blotting.
Neha
August 21, 2025Northern blotting cannot be determined the amino acid sequences of the protein coded by mrna because it detect mrna not rna
Payal Gaur
August 21, 2025Option B amino acid sequence of protein is not detect by northern blotting (mRNA detect)
Santosh Saini
August 21, 2025It cannot determine the amino acid sequence of a protein encoded by an mRNA, it detect only specific RNA
Devika
August 21, 2025Done
Meera Gurjar
August 21, 2025Cannot determine amino acids sequence
Sakshi Kanwar
August 21, 2025Option B as northern blotting used in detection of specific mrna sequence or size of mrna but cannot be used for determine of the amino acid sequence of a protein .
Simran Saini
August 21, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species.
Soniya Shekhawat
August 22, 2025Amino acid sequence of protein which is we have detected by the western blotting and not by Northern blotting.
Sheikh Aleen
August 22, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species cannot be determined using Northern blotting.
karishma
August 22, 2025it cannot determine the amino acid sequence of a protein encoded by an mRNA.
Arushi
August 22, 2025Northern blotting can not determine amino acid sequence
Kirti agarwal
August 23, 2025Amino acid sequence in probe
Priya khandal
August 23, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by nmrn species
Ankita Pareek
August 23, 2025Northern blotting cannot detect amino acid sequence of protein
karishma don
August 23, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species cannot be determined by northern blotting
Akshita Jangid
August 23, 2025Northern blot used to detect specific RNA not for proteins. Protein is detected by western blotting
Divya Mandhania
August 24, 2025Answer is b because northern blotting can not determine amino acid sequencb.
Yogita
August 24, 2025Amino acid sequence probe
Aakanksha Sharma
August 24, 2025Amino acid sequences cannot detect by Northern blotting
Himanshi
August 24, 2025Amino acid sequence in probe
AKANKSHA RAJPUT
August 24, 2025OPTION B
Bhavana kankhedia
August 24, 2025Amino Acid Sequence of the Protein Coded by an mRNA Species
Neeraj Sharma
August 24, 2025Amino acid cannot be detected via northern blotting
Ayush
August 24, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species
It’s not possible in northern blotting
Kajal
August 24, 2025Amino acids sequence of protein coded by mrna cannot be determined by northern blotting
Tanvi Panwar
August 24, 2025Amino acid sequence coded by mRNA cannot be identified by Northern blotting.
Priyanka Verma
August 24, 2025Amino acids sequence of protein coded by mRNA cannot be determined by northern blotting because Northern blot detects RNA, not proteins.
Sonam Saini
August 24, 2025M- rna Species size
Parul Yadav
August 24, 2025Traditional Northern Blotting can’t determine the amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA.
sakshi khatri
August 24, 2025B is correct answer
Surendra Doodi
August 24, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species
Falguni Prakash
August 24, 2025Option b
Kajal
August 26, 2025Amino acid sequence of protein coded by an mrna
Manisha choudhary
August 26, 2025Standard ladder sequence s northern blotting technique k dwara m rna kaa molecular weight pta kr skte h
m rna ki stability time k sath dekh k mrna decay s indirectly half life of m rna kaa anumaan lga skte h
Specific DNA probe Dekr DNA strand jis s m rna bna h template h uski complimentary strand sense (coding)strand kaa pta lga skte h
Amino acid kaa sequence nhi pta kr skte northern blotting s
Priyanka Meena
August 26, 2025Northern blotting detect in specific RNA or mRNA . Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species
Muskan Yadav
August 26, 2025Amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRNA species.
Kanica Sunwalka
August 28, 2025northern blot used for rna not for protein
Komal Sharma
August 30, 2025Option b is correct
Shriyanshi verma
August 30, 2025Amino acid of the protein coded by an mrna species
Alec
August 30, 2025It cannot determine amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRna species.
Asha Gurzzar
August 30, 2025Option b is correct,amino acids sequence of protein coded by an mrna specie
Pratibha Jain
August 30, 2025correct answer is option 2nd
It cannot determine amino acid sequence of the protein coded by an mRna species.
Anisha jakhar
August 31, 2025Option b
Shobha Kanwar
August 31, 2025Option B.
Northern blotting cannot determine amino acid sequence coded by mRNA.
Deepika sheoran
November 15, 2025Option b is correct